I've been reading messages here for several months and decided to take the plunge, register and put up my first post. I've decided to buy a Canon Rebel XTI. Now it's time to figure out what lenses. Here's a little background on my situation to help with your advice.

The Air Force is sending me to Greenland for a year. Great opportunity and there will be lots of chances for one-of-a-kind pictures (polar bears, dog sleds, icebergs...). The sun can be bright with reflection off of the snow, water and ice but it also stays dark for 3 months in the winter. It can get very cold, but I don't expect to take many pictures in the extreme cold.

I've read the lens reviews and on one hand they help but on the other hand also add to the confusion. I don't have the money to buy the real good (expensive) lenses. I have about $1,500.00 for everything (camera, lens, filters, case ....). I know that isn't a lot, but I that's all I have to work with.

Canon lenses are obviously the best designed to work with the camera, but Sigma and Tamron are less expensive. Given all of this, what are your thoughts on the manufacturer? Also, I would be interested in the types of lenses you think I should buy.

Thanks for your help!
Volk

I have purchased a Sigma 50-150mm F/2.8 and just love this lens, It does a great job
of what I want it to do. School in-door basketball and volleyball.
But wanted something that was a little wider and purchased the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8. Have not gotten to use this since I just got it. But the few shots I have taken, I loved.
Looking at the Sigma 50-500mm for longer zoom.
If I had the budget, there is no doubt that I would get the Canon L-glass, because of its superior quality.


Newbie here
rovowen

When dealing with lots of snow, ice, water and other reflective surfaces, you should get a good polarizer.

I have the same camera with the same Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8.
I like it a lot! Money well spent

With your budget I'd recommend the Canon 70-300mm (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/397663-USA/Canon_0345B002_70_300mm_f_4_5_6_EF_IS.html) and the Tamron (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/284399-REG/Tamron_AF09C700_28_75mm_f_2_8_XR_Di.html). The downside to the Tamron is the 28mm is not very wide on a cropped sensor camera like the XTI but the F/2.8 is handy in low light.

The Canon 70-300 IS is a pretty good lens for the price and in a cold climate the IS will be very needed I would think. I own both of these lens and highly recommend them.

An alternative to the Tamron would be the Sigma 10-20mm Wide Angle (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/381610-REG/Sigma_201101_10_20mm_f_4_5_6_EX_DC.html) lens, which would be great for landscape shots. This lens is on my wish list right now but have heard a lot of good things about it.

In over 30 years of using and selling photo equipment I've learned a lot about it. I've found that "no name" lenses such as Tokina, Vivitar, Sigma, and tamron are pretty good lenses and in some cases are better than the equivalent Canon Lens. Actgually Tokina make Sigma lenses and designed the new Pentax 10 - 17mm. Tokina have now marketed the lena in their name and it is better quality than the Pentax lens as Pentax used plastic and had it built in Korea whilst Tokina used metal and built it in Japan which has better quality. When I bought my 300D I got the 70-300 Canon zoom and I wasted money on it. It is plastic and loose, the zoom and focus rattle and in some cases move down the barrel. I would not purchase that lens again. I bought my Daughter a Canon 35mm camera and wouldn't give her the 70-300, instead I bought her a Sigma 28-80 zoom macro. It is a great lens and is my standard walk around lens. She likes hers also and after 2 years if is still tight as is mine, vastly superior to Canon. I bought a lens for my F1 a month or so ago, a Vivitar 90mm flatfield macro, a highly touted lens. Don't feel that you have to buy Canon, they aren't necessarily superior. Look around, you may be able to find some of the old Canon lenses made of metal rather then cheap plastic. I read an article yesterday that the major camera manufacturers are in a race to sell equipment and their lenses have dropped in quality to reduce costs and people are moving to the other manufacturers.

If you are going to Greenland I'd advise you to have the camera and lenses winterized. They remove the old lubes and replace with a lighter lube so it won't thicken to the point that you can't use it. I did that with my Canon when I was flying with the Navy and we were in Newfoundland during cold winters. If you do that, be sure you have it changed back when you return to moderate climates. Remember to let th camera acclimate when going in and out of buildings, Especially going inside as the equipment will be cold soaked and using it too soon might break something. A half hour letting it sit to even out temp and humidity each way should be sufficient. A fishing vest would be great for you as you can wear it under a coat and stuff a lot of gear in it. Mine has about a gazillion pockets, outside, inside, front, back and they are many different sizes. I can store my EOS 300D in a pocket and my Canon F1 in another and have room for a bunch of lenses. Course you might have to get a mule to carry it all. :p Here, vests sell for about $30.00 at hunting and fishing stores. Get a size larger than you usually wear so you have room.

I hope this helps you. If you have more questions just holler.
Michael :)